Polacek & Partners has promoted former Senior Associate Simon Hudak to Partner.

Inclusion, diversity, and equity (ID&E) are fundamental principles that shape the fabric of modern societies and industries. Within the legal profession, these principles not only reflect our commitment to justice and equality but also drive innovation, foster creativity, and enhance client service. In Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), where the gradual democratization and opening of societies since the 1990s has largely driven greater acceptance of diverse perspectives and communities, it is imperative for lawyers and law firms to take a leading role in advancing ID&E.  In this article, we discuss how investing in inclusion, diversity, and equity can help your firm unleash the full potential of your workforce, foster creativity, and drive sustainable success.

The Slovak government proposes a bill introducing indirect tax on sweetened non-alcoholic beverages with added sugar or sweeteners. Due to the voting majority in the National Council, it may be expected that the bill will be passed and will become effective from 1 January 2025.

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. While in the legal field maintaining client relationships is vital, there are occasions when law firms must end engagements. To explore some of the reasons that might lead to this, we asked: After accepting mandates, what have been the main reasons for which you ended up having to drop clients?

Following the recent election in Slovakia, the newly formed government has shifted its legislative focus. CLS Cavojsky & Partners Partner Peter Cavojsky and Taylor Wessing Partner Andrej Leontiev explore how the government’s priorities have changed in terms of public spending, criminal justice reform, and relations with non-governmental organizations.

Slovakia has undertaken a comprehensive reform of its court system. Peterka & Partners Partner Andrea Butasova and Ruzicka & Partners Partner Sarlota Stosova explore the ambitious restructuring and its consequences, the challenges encountered during its implementation, and its far-reaching implications for legal professionals and the justice system of Slovakia.

With a background in international law firms, Marcela Augustinic transitioned to become the first general counsel at DM Drogerie Markt in Slovakia, where she has been serving for the last eight years. Augustinic shares her strategies for balancing internal and external legal resources to tackle emerging regulatory challenges and drive sustainable growth in the ever-evolving market.

An in-depth look at Viliam Mysicka of Kinstellar covering his career path, education, and top projects as a lawyer as well as a few insights about him as a manager at work and as a person outside the office.

As always in Slovakia, political changes are accompanied by personnel changes. Thus, having a new government and new deputies to the parliament has initiated the change of the key personnel, including the head of the Regulatory Office for Network Industries (URSO) and of the Slovak electricity transmission system, Plc. (SEPS).

BPV Braun Partners, working with Watson Farley & Williams, has advised Creditas company UCED on the acquisition of GGE.

Schoenherr has advised the BHM Group on the sale of its majority stake in the Block Group to the Czech investment fund Central Europe Industry Partners. Rowan Legal reportedly advised CEIP.

Havel & Partners has represented HP Tronic and NAY on merger clearance from the Czech Office for the Protection of Competition and the Slovak Antimonopoly Office for their merger.

We bring you a brief overview of important legislative news from the Slovak Republic that should not escape your attention.

For our Checking In feature, we reach out to partners and heads of practice across CEE to learn how specific practice areas are faring in their jurisdictions. For this piece, we asked firm Labor experts:  Have whistleblowing regulations been implemented in your jurisdiction and would you advise companies to use an external solution or an in-house one? Why?

The new construction legislation approved in 2022, which aims, among other things, to speed up permitting processes, was to enter into force as a whole on 1 April 2024. This legislation divided the "old" Construction Act into two parts: spatial planning and construction.

As we outlined in our earlier article, the option of a demerger by means of a spin-off (odštiepenie) is a significant innovation introduced into the Slovak corporate landscape by the Transformations Act.

In The Debrief, our Practice Leaders across CEE share updates on recent and upcoming legislation, consider the impact of recent court decisions, showcase landmark projects, and keep our readers apprised of the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas.

In The Corner Office, we ask Managing Partners at law firms across Central and Eastern Europe about their backgrounds, strategies, and responsibilities. Given the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the legal profession, we asked: What is the one critical skill that you’re investing time and energy in to develop within your team, and why?